Kelly Greene: In My Dreams

30 July — 25 September, 2022

In this exhibition, artist Kelly Greene transforms a conventional 20th century classroom in Canada to one that conveys basic principles and teachings of the people of Six Nations. Greene’s interactive installation allows viewers to sit at wooden desks and practice writing lessons from the blackboard or elsewhere in “class”, including teachings offered by Onondaga Faithkeeper Oren Lyons and Sidney Hill, Traditional Leader of the Haudenosaunee. They explain basic Six Nations’ beliefs in the short film “We Are the Haudenosaunee,” which is positioned on the teacher’s desk. Other significant items included are the Iroquois Confederacy flag, an alternative world globe, and examples of Mohawk pottery and musical instruments. The painting of the bee and coneflower is included in this dream learning environment to acknowledge its importance, one that’s been on this earth for over 100 million years. Greene dreams of a future in which bees will continue to exist and thrive, although they are vanishing due to humans’ activities. Consequently, Greene flips the prevailing iconography of the classroom—where once hung images of Kings, Prime Ministers, flags, and maps of the empire have been replaced with one that is entirely Six Nations centric. This classroom of her dreams is positioned as a site of empathy, understanding, and exchange. Elsewhere in the exhibition, Greene offers historical context to her installation that includes a hand-painted portrait of John A. Macdonald, and a land acknowledgements polling station. The result is an eclectic dreamscape of what Greene has come to learn about her people and herself. 

Installation Images

Exhibition Brochure

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About the Artist